The Credentials You Need to Trade for Others

If you decide you want to trade for others as well as for yourself, you need to become a registered representative. The most comprehensive test you can take is the FINRA’s Series 7 exam. To qualify for the test, you’ll need a sponsoring broker.

When you sign up for the required coursework for this exam, either through self-study courses online or a nearby training school, the school can help you locate a sponsoring broker if you don’t have one.

Why you need credentials

The license you'll earn allows you to buy and sell all securities products, including corporate securities, municipal securities, municipal-fund securities, options, direct participation programs, investment-company products, and variable contracts. There are other exams for people who want to sell only a specific type of security rather than the broader options that a Series 7 certification enables you to market.

Professional certifications are not required to sell securities. Most pros who seek these certifications do so to show their clients that they have attained a level of proficiency and met or exceeded the standards within their specialties.

Many schools that train people for professional designations provide ways for you to take the coursework, even if you don’t plan to get the license or certification. You can study for many of these courses at home online.

Schools for aspiring securities and financial advisors

• American Investment Training offers self-study training for all the FINRA licenses.

• The American College of Financial Services offers online coursework toward the ChFC, CLU, and CFP designations along with other financial services education.

• College for Financial Planning offers online coursework for the CFP and CMFC designations along with other financial services education.

• Empire Stockbroker Training Institute offers courses online for all the FINRA Series licenses.

• FINRA provides detailed outlines of the content that must be covered for all its examinations online.

Selling securities is a highly regulated field that requires considerable training before you can sell even your first share of stock. Although some people trade for others without a license, they risk the possibility of an investigation by the FINRA or their state regulators.

Be sure that the trading activities you do for others fit within the law, or you can end up in a legal mess facing significant fines.